Weather forecasters say the north is due heavy snowfall today following a day in which the capital froze.

Yesterday, seven Bolton primary schools were shut and two high schools gave their pupils a long weekend after snow fell across the region.

And today parents were being urged to contact schools to check they were open as snow showers were anticipated — although forecasts were suggested Bolton would escape with sleet showers.

So far, only St Stephen’s, in Kearsley Moor, has decided to close.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “It is for individual schools to make any decision to close, but we expect headteachers to take a common-sense approach based on the conditions at the school and the safety of pupils travelling.

“We would hope headteachers can keep schools open while it is safe for them to do so.

“Parents should call their child’s school or the council if they can reach no-one at the school.”

Schools closed yesterday were: Bolton Muslim Girls; Clarendon Primary; Kearsley West Primary; Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary, Farnworth; Chorley New Road Primary, Horwich; Spindle Point Primary, Kearsley; St James CE Primary, Farnworth; and St Mary’s RC Primary, Horwich.

Lever Park Special School in Horwich decided to close at 1pm.

Carole Darbyshire, from Lever Park Special School, said: “We took the decision to close on grounds of safety. Some staff and pupils at this school travel quite a distance and we have a high ratio of staff to pupils. It was because of this we took the decision to close the school.”

The school will decide this morning whether or not to open. Parents will be contacted by staff if the school shuts.

Other schools, including Beaumont Primary and Blackrod Primary, said they would make a decision today.

Judith Bonner, office administrator at St Stephen’s CE, said: “The decision to close was made on safety grounds.”

Council highway bosses said gritters would be working throughout the night.

The council has also provided 550 salt bins for residents to use in their area.